Beef Nilaga, also known as Bulalo, is a classic Filipino comfort food. This comforting soup is all about tender beef shanks simmered with bone marrow, vegetables, and rich broth. Traditionally, it takes hours to cook on the stovetop, but with the Instant Pot, we can achieve the same depth of flavor in a fraction of the time.
In this guide, we’ll go through everything about Beef Nilaga (Bulalo) Instant Pot Recipe—its origins, ingredients, step-by-step instructions, cooking tips, serving suggestions, and variations you can try at home.
Beef Nilaga, also called Bulalo in Southern Luzon, is a Filipino boiled soup made with beef shanks and marrow bones. The dish is popular for its clear yet flavorful broth, loaded with cabbage, potatoes, corn, and pechay (bok choy). It’s traditionally served hot with fish sauce and calamansi on the side.
Bulalo is loved not only for its taste but also for its nutritional value—rich in collagen, protein, and essential minerals from the bone marrow.
Cooking Bulalo the traditional way takes 2–3 hours of simmering to tenderize the beef. With an Instant Pot, you can reduce the cooking time to just 45–60 minutes without sacrificing flavor.
Benefits of using an Instant Pot:
Here’s what you’ll need:
Nilaga with Banana (Saba): Adds natural sweetness and Filipino authenticity
Optional: green beans, saba bananas, or carrots for extra texture and sweetness.
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
Rinse beef shanks under cold water to remove blood and impurities. For a clearer broth, blanch the beef in boiling water for 5 minutes, then discard the water.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Turn the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Add a bit of oil, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Beef
Add beef shanks, peppercorns, bay leaves, and water (or beef broth). Season lightly with fish sauce.
Step 4: Add Vegetables
Open the lid, skim off excess fat, and add corn and potatoes. Pressure cook again for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Finish with Greens
Add cabbage and pechay. Set to “Sauté” mode and cook for 3–5 minutes until vegetables are tender but not overcooked.
Use fresh beef shank with visible marrow for maximum flavor.
Blanch beef before pressure cooking to avoid cloudy broth.
Don’t overcook vegetables; add them last to retain crunch and color.
Adjust seasoning with fish sauce or salt only after cooking, as broth intensifies in flavor under pressure.
Beef Nilaga is best with:
With pickled green papaya (atchara), it’s even better!
A serving of Bulalo has:
While nutritious, Bulalo is high in fat, so best enjoyed occasionally.
Cooking Beef Nilaga (Bulalo) in an Instant Pot makes this Filipino classic a weeknight-friendly dish. The result is a comforting, flavorful soup with tender beef, rich marrow, and veggies that warms the soul. Perfect for family gatherings, rainy days, or when you crave authentic Filipino home cooking.
Make Beef Nilaga (Bulalo) in your Instant Pot! A hearty Filipino soup with tender beef shank and veggies, ready in under an hour.
Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot using the "Sauté" function for about 10 seconds. Add sliced onions and cook for ~2 minutes, until softened and lightly caramelized.
Add beef shank pieces and brown on all sides—this deepens flavor.
Pour in water or broth, add fish sauce, salt, and peppercorns. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 30 minutes.
Once cooking finishes, release pressure (quick or natural). Add potatoes, cabbage, and broccoli in layers. Close lid again and cook on High Pressure for an additional 5 minutes.
Carefully release pressure. Ladle the hot soup into bowls, ensuring you include tender beef, marrow, and veggies. Garnish with green onions. Serve with steamed rice for the ultimate cozy meal.
Servings 6
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
This Instant Pot–friendly Beef Nilaga (Bulalo) is the kind of cozy, soulful meal that warms you from the inside out. With minimal hands-on time, you still get that rich, comforting broth teeming with tender beef, marrow, and veggies—without long simmering on the stove.
Hi, I’m Marisa M. Hsu, a food blogger and recipe creator. I share easy, comforting, and authentic dishes from my kitchen to yours. When I’m not cooking, you’ll find me exploring farmers’ markets, traveling for food inspiration, or enjoying family time around the dinner table.
